Twenty people from the church, community, and yoga program joined together this past  April for a free seminar led by Lisa Buldo, Certified Health Coach, Nutrition Expert, Author, Speaker and Television Host. The event featured discussion on smart food decisions for the whole family (both at the grocery store and in meal preparation), losing weight without dieting (and keeping it off), preventing and even reversing disease, increasing energy naturally, enhancing digestion, obtaining radiant and glowing skin, reducing stress and anxiety, and finding power in words for victory.

We held a Service of Healing and Wholeness and a program "Surviving the Holidays" with clinical social worker Perri Nunziato of Rutherford and Lyndhurst. The program included ways to get through the holidays for those suffering from a loss or depression, and also advice for their loved ones. The holidays - and the expectations that surround them - can be stressful for anyone. But for those suffering a loss through death, illness or the end of a relationship or for those battling depression and their family members and friends, the holidays can be especially trying.

Nunziato received her Masters in Social Work from New York University. She has experience working with children and families, as well as individuals and couples. She has been in private practice for 18 years. Nunziato believes in taking a mind, body approach to helping people and uses techniques such as mindfulness practices and EMDR. Immediately following Reverend Pete Wilkinson lead a Service of Healing and Wholeness.

We welcomed Mental Health Clinician, Ms. Ashley Cali, for the second in a series of programs designed to raise mental health awareness and help end the stigma associated with mental illness in our community.  The program, entitled “Recognizing the Subtle Signs and Starting the Conversation,” was offered to help participants understand some of the early warning signs of mental illness that can include changes in mood, personality, motivation, personal habits, concentration and social interactions while introducing tools to help friends and family members start the delicate conversation with their loved ones.

Ms. Cali is a practicing clinician at both the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) and Care Plus, a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive, recovery-focused integrated primary and mental health care and substance abuse rehabilitation services in Northern New Jersey.  She is also a member of the Board of Directors and a Field Advocate Volunteer for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy, and to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide.  To learn more about these organization visit their websites:

Care Plus

American Foundation for Suicide Preventaion

We welcomed Voice Award recipient, Mr. Sean Campbell, to speak on the timely and important topic of Breaking the Stigma of Mental Illness.  The Voice Awards recognizes films and television programs that accurately portray behavioral health problems.  The Award honors individuals who share their personal stories of recovery and work tirelessly to reduce discrimination and misperceptions. 

Mr. Campbell was featured in a series on Suicide and Mental Illness in the South Bergenite. Read the article here.  He is an author, international youth advocate and filmmaker.  He has produced two documentaries "Heart and Soul: A Film Promoting Whole Body Wellness in Behavioral Health" and "How to Touch a Hot Stove" and currently serves as a peer counselor for patients in Rockland.

Read more about Mr. Campbell’s story here.